DC Superheroes

DC Superheroes is a collection of action figures originally produced by Mattel in early 2006. It is divided into three different lines - the Justice League Unlimited toyline, with figures based on the animated Justice League Unlimited series; the S3: Select Sculpt Series, featuring more comic-accurate figures in the 6" scale; and a 12" figure line. The S3 line is further divided into two lines - one featuring Batman, and the other featuring Superman. Series 1 of the S3 line began shipping just after Christmas 2005 to Wal-Mart and began arriving in retailers like Target and Toys "R" Us approximately one month later. The figures have characteristics similar to the competing Marvel Legends line in terms of detailed sculpting, articulation, and including a comic book or diorama with each figure.

History The line began as a successor to Mattel's Batman toyline. Since Mattel only had the license to Batman and Superman characters at the time (with the exception of the Justice League Unlimited line), only Batman and Superman characters were able to appear in the line. Instead of primarily using variations on a single character, the line focused on secondary characters and villains.

At New York City's Toy Fair in 2006, the first five assortments were announced (though the fourth series was postponed). The entire line (with the exception of Robin and Nightwing) was sculpted by the Four Horsemen Studios. The figures have around twenty-one points of articulation and initially came with a comic book centering on the character it came with, but in 2007 figures came with cardboard dioramas instead.

On June 28, 2007 Mattel's license was extended to include all of the DC Comics characters, including all movies and TV shows past, present and future. At San Diego Comic-Con, Mattel announced they would be re-branding the line into DC Universe Classics. The first series was viewable at SDCC 2007 and was released in January 2008.

Justice League Unlimited

Around the same time the first S3 figures hit shelves, the JLU line had also moved under the brand "DC Superheroes". The packaging is similar to the S3 line: in 2006 they were both orange; in 2007, they both became purple.

S3 - Select Sculpt Series Figures The S3 line featured only Superman and Batman characters, and although the promise was that the line would focus on villains and secondary characters, in practice the assortments were heavy with variations of the main characters. Early series of figures came with comic books featuring the character they came with, yet due to shipping costs and complications, Mattel switched to cardboard dioramas.

In the past Mattel had expressed interest in trying to make almost every character in the DC Universe. Mattel also said they would continue their Batman and Superman lines, but within the continued DC Universe Classics brand. Characters they expressed interest in, and planned on making in the Batman series were: Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, a Batman Begins Scarecrow, Ra's al Ghul, Firefly, the Riddler, Talia al Ghul, Mad Hatter, and Black Mask. Harley Quinn and the Riddler were eventually released as part of DC Universe Classics, while Scarecrow was released as part of the Movie Masters line.

Series One (Batman) The last series of Mattel's Batman toyline, featuring several new characters, was not released in America; instead, it reached distant areas such as Australia. Three out of four figures (Bat Signal Batman, Bane, and Scarecrow) were retooled (Batman had new paint and a new cape, and a running change on Bane gave him new hands), and shipped to Wal-Marts. The fourth figure of the assortment was Killer Croc, who was previously hard to find and had a new head sculpt and paint application. The only Batman figure that was initially shipped overseas and never re-shipped under the DC Superheroes line was Attack Armor Batman.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman1st sculptBatarang, handcuffs, grappleRepainted from Mattel 2003 line19 pointsKiller CrocPipeRepainted from Mattel 2003 line, with new head and no tail8 pointsScarecrowScythe/pitchfork, bombRepainted from Mattel 2003 line25 pointsBaneRepainted from Mattel 2003 line14 pointsTeddy bearSame as above figure, but includes teddy bear accessory and resculpted hands

Series Two (Superman) Series Two featured Superman, Supergirl, Doomsday, Bizarro, and a Superman/Bizarro 2-pack (released exclusively to Target).

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseSuperman 1st sculptOriginal paint scheme23 pointsSeries 5, Target Exclusive Superman/Bizarro 2-pack and Superman/Clark Kent 2-packSupergirl Linda DanversOriginal colors22 pointsBizarroTire axle1st paint scheme (bright) with no pupils23 pointsSeries 5, Target Exclusive Superman/Bizarro 2-packDoomsday1st paint scheme (original version)23 points

Series Three (Batman) With Series Three, the S3 line returned to the Batman family, releasing a new Batman, Robin, Azrael, and Mr. Freeze. While Robin and Mr. Freeze shared the same sculpt as their original releases in the Batman toyline, Batman and Azrael were new sculpts released for the first time, though Mr. Freeze featured as much articulation as Batman and Azrael. Series Three was also the first series to include a diorama with each figure instead of a comic book. Although comics would be included again with Series 4 figures, Series Five through Eight would feature dioramas only.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman2nd sculpt7 Batarangs1st paint scheme (blue)23 pointsTarget Exclusive Batman/Batgirl 2-packRobinTim DrakeHoverboard with firing discRereleased from Mattel 2003 line; 1st paint scheme (red and green)9 pointsToys "R" Us exclusive Batman/Robin 2-packAzrael25 pointsDC Universe ClassicsMr. FreezeFreeze gunRereleased and retooled from Mattel 2003 line22 points

Series Four (Superman) The second Superman series (fourth series overall) featured Superman (black "S" shield), Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Darkseid. Two Target-exclusive two-packs were also released, one featuring Superman/Clark Kent, and one featuring Batman/Batgirl (comic-styled Barbara Gordon version).

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseSuperman2nd sculptRereleased from Mattel 2003 line14 pointsSuperman1st sculptRepaint of Series 2 version - black and red logo, red eyes23 pointsSeries 5Supergirl Linda DanversRepaint of Series 2 version - black and red logo, black skirt22 pointsSeries 5Lex LuthorBattle Armor Gun, KryptoniteRetooled arms (new forearms) and legs from DCSH Mr. Freeze22 pointsDC Universe ClassicsBrainiacRobot form 27 pointsDarkseidMother Box1st paint scheme (blue) 18 points

Series Five (Superman) This series marks the departure from orange cards to the new purple packs. Sticking with Superman for the next two series, Mattel released Steel, Parasite, Kal-El, Black Suit Superman, and Cyborg Superman (very hard to find) figures, along with repainted versions of Superman, Supergirl, Doomsday, Bizarro, and Darkseid.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseSuperman1st sculptRerelease of Series 2 version23 pointsSuperman1st sculptRerelease of Series 4 version23 pointsSupergirlLinda DanversRerelease of Series 4 version22 pointsSupergirlKara Zor-ElOriginal paint scheme 20 pointsDC Universe ClassicsBizarroTire axleRerelease of Series 2 version23 pointsDoomsdayRepaint of Series 2 version - Heat vision reflection23 pointsParasite23 pointsSteelHammerGray "S" on chest23 pointsVac-metallized "S" on chest

Series Six (Superman) FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBlack Suit Superman1st sculptRepaint of Series 2 Superman - black and silver suit23 pointsCyborg Superman23 pointsDC Universe ClassicsKal-El/Superman1st sculptRepaint of Series 2 version - Metallic color scheme with altered headsculpt23 pointsDarkseidMother BoxRepaint of Series 4 version - 2nd paint scheme (black)18 pointsMongul23 pointsDC Universe ClassicsBizarro"Bizarro #1" nameplateRepaint of Series 2 version - 2nd paint scheme (dark), nameplates either gray or black23 points

Series Seven (Batman) A brown version of Man-Bat was originally scheduled for Series Seven, but was dropped. The figure was eventually released as part of DC Universe Classics. A dark tech-suit variant of Mr. Freeze was also to be included but was dropped as well; it was eventually released as a convention exclusive in 2008.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseCamo BaneTeddy bearRepaint of Series 1 version - camouflaged suit14 pointsKnightshadow Batman2nd sculpt3 BatarangsRepaint of Series 3 Batman - black suit with new head23 pointsBatgirlCassandra CainBatarang21 pointsTwo-FaceHarvey DentTommy gun20 points

Series Eight (Batman) Half of this series featured repaints from the Batman toyline.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman2nd sculpt3 BatarangsRepaint of Series 3 version - 2nd paint scheme (black) with different belt23 pointsBruce Wayne-to-BatmanSnap-on costume, spotlightRepainted from Mattel 2003 lineThe JokerGas mask, mallet, squirt gunRepainted from Mattel 2003 lineNightwingDick GraysonBaton, shieldRepainted from Mattel 2003 lineCatwomanWhip, cat, jewelry, backpackClayfaceBendable armsDC Universe Classics

Target Exclusive 2-packs The orange-carded DC Superheroes S3 series packs were rounded out by 2-packs exclusively released to Target stores.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBizarroRerelease of Series 2 version23 pointsSuperman1st sculptRerelease of Series 2 version23 points

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman2nd sculptRerelease of Series 3 version23 pointsBatgirlBarbara Gordon's second costumeBatarangGray Suit21 pointsDC Universe Classics

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseClark KentFile folderBlue business suit20 pointsSuperman1st sculptRerelease of Series 2 version23 points

Toys "R" Us Exclusives The following figures are repaints of figures in the DC Superheroes line and were included in Toys "R" Us exclusives.

Ultimate Batman 5-pack FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman 1st sculpt2nd color scheme (black) with yellow bright belt, minimal articulation, and cloth cape; released in a 5-pack with figures from other Batman toylines

Batman/Robin 2-packs A Batman/Nightwing 2-pack was also advertised but was apparently never released.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman1st sculpt2nd color scheme (black), with giant wraparound cloth capeRobinBatarangRerelease of Series 3 version9 points

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationRe-releaseBatman1st sculptBatarang2nd color scheme (black), with giant wraparound cloth capeRobinBatarangRepaint of Series 3 version - 2nd color scheme (blue/silver)9 points

Convention exclusives These figures were offered as exclusives during comic conventions in 2007 and 2008.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationFirst ReleaseRe-releaseMan-BatRepaint of unreleased Man-Bat figure - Albino 2nd paint scheme (white)SDCC 2007Repaint of unreleased Man-Bat figure - Mid-transformation 3rd paint scheme (clear), light-up eyesMr. FreezeFreeze gunRepaint of Series 3 version (tech-suit)22 pointsNYCC 2008

12" figures Mattel also released several 12" figures under the DC Superheroes banner. The figures are larger versions of the S3 sculpts. This line continued as part of the DC Universe line.

FigureVersionAccessoriesDescriptionArticulationFirst ReleaseRe-releaseSuperman1st sculpt12" version of DCSH Series 2 figureBatman2nd sculpt12" version of DCSH Series 3 figureBatman2nd sculpt12" version of DCSH Series 8 figure, Toys "R" Us exclusiveCyborg Superman12" version of DCSH Series 6 figure, Toys "R" Us exclusive

DC Superheroes

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